Compliance with soft contact lens replacement schedules and associated contact lens–related ocular complications: The UCLA Contact Lens Study

BackgroundFailure to comply with the manufacturers’ recommended replacement frequency (MRRF) is expected to result in ocular complications. The goal of this study is to evaluate the empirical relationship between compliance with MRRF and the presence of ocular complications.MethodsAll soft contact lens-wearing patients who presented at either of 2 clinics were evaluated prospectively for contact lens-related complications and for compliance with MRRF.ResultsCompliance with MRRF varies significantly across replacement modality (P < 0.01) and lens solution type (P = 0.04). Among noncompliant patients, average days of overwear beyond MRRF significantly varies across age group (P = 0.02), lens material type (P = 0.01), and lens solution type (P = 0.02). Regression analysis controlling for demographic factors and lens and solution type found a marginally significant (P = 0.07) positive effect of days of overwear on average complications per eye.ConclusionsWe find noncompliance broadly present across demographic groups and patient types and marginally positively related to complications.